Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 13, 2000

Volume 29, Number 6

'The Skriker' to inaugurate Drama
School's new theater space

Grotesque creatures and fairies will inhabit the stage of the New Theater at Holcombe T. Green Jr. Hall when the School of Drama presents its first show in its new production space, located at 1156 Chapel St.

Drama students will portray an array of supernatural characters in "The Skriker," a play by post-modern British playwright Caryl Churchhill. The show runs Oct. 19-25.

"The Skriker" is the thesis project of third-year directing student Claire Lundberg, a 1998 Yale College graduate, who describes the script as "a vivid and theatrical lens for the exploration of damage in the modern world."

Churchill's play alternates between barren London and a lavish underworld. The Skriker, an ancient spirit that can transform chameleon-like into different guises, chases two girls through modern London. The girls' fragile world spins out of control as the Skriker's hunt to become part of their lives eventually confuses their perception of reality.

The play was first performed at the Royal National Theatre in London in 1994. The Dublin Sunday Independent described the show as "amazing, spine-chilling ... an epic." Two years later it was performed at The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival under the direction of Mark Wing-Davey and starring Jayne Atkinson in the title role. New York Times critic Ben Brantley called the work "astonishing."

Churchill, a three-time winner of the Obie Award, is the author of over 20 plays, including "Cloud Nine," "Vinegar Tom," "Top Girls" and "Mad Forest."

The Yale production of "The Skriker" will feature Dara S. Fisher in the title role, Sarah Elliott as Lily and Tamilla Woodard as Josie.

The ensemble includes Pun Boonyarata-Pun as Black Annis, Lucia Brawley as the Green Lady, Eric Gilde as Rawheadandbloodybones, Andrew Guirarte as the Kelpie, Brandon T. Miller as Passerby, Nicholas Pepper as Man with Bucket and Cloth, Lauren Popper as the Brownie, Matthew Lane Schwartz as Johnny Squarefoot, William Theodore Thompson as Black Dog, Bess Wohl as the Dead Child, Max Zorin as Yallery Brown (and the show's violinist), and Jennifer Brooke Riker and Jeanine Serralles appearing in a variety of roles.

In addition to Zorin, the artistic staff includes choreographer Ramona Ganslosser, composer and sound designer Fitz Patton, music director Jana Zielonka, scenic designer Mikiko Suzuki, costume designer Jenny Mannis, lighting designer Paul Whittaker, circus artist Jake Weinstein, production dramaturg Heather Jeanne Violanti and stage manager Courtney Todd.

Performances of "The Skriker" are Monday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Oct. 21. Tickets range from $10 to $15. For tickets or information, call the Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre box office at (203) 432-1234.

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